So you need custom stickers. You've got a logo, a design, maybe just a name — and you want it printed on something you can stick on a product, a package, a laptop, or a gift. Simple enough, right?
Except then you hit the options: circle stickers, clear stickers, kiss-cut stickers, UV DTF, holographic... and suddenly it's not so simple.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We'll explain every type of custom sticker Lulu Labels offers, what makes each one different, and — most importantly — which one is right for your specific use case. No jargon, no fluff.
First: What Are Custom Stickers Made From?
Most custom stickers are printed on vinyl — a durable, slightly flexible plastic material that holds colour well and resists moisture. Laminated vinyl stickers are waterproof, long-lasting, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
The differences between sticker types come down to three things: the shape they're cut to, the finish of the material, and the print technology used. Each of these choices affects how the sticker looks, where it can be used, and how long it lasts.
The 7 Types of Custom Stickers at Lulu Labels
1. Circle Stickers
The most versatile sticker shape and the most popular. Circle stickers work for almost any application — product labelling, packaging seals, gift stickers, event stickers, and more. The clean, symmetric shape makes them look professional even at small sizes.
• Best for: Product labels, packaging seals, jar lids, water bottle branding, thank-you stickers
• Sizes: Choose from small (25mm) up to large (100mm+)
• Finish: Regular or Laminated
• Minimum order: As few as 1 sticker
Great for: Small businesses selling homemade jams, candles, soaps, or beauty products. A simple circle label with your logo and scent/flavour makes a product look instantly professional.
👉 Order custom circle stickers at Lulu Labels.
2. Rectangle Stickers
Rectangle stickers give you more surface area to work with — ideal when you need to include text, a barcode, an address, or several design elements that don't fit neatly into a circle. They're the go-to choice for product information labels and address stickers.
• Best for: Product info labels, return address stickers, name badges, packaging labels, shelf labels
• Sizes: Various — specify your dimensions when ordering
• Tip: Portrait orientation works well for product bottles; landscape for boxes and mailers
👉 Order custom rectangle stickers at Lulu Labels.
3. Oval Stickers
Oval stickers split the difference between circle and rectangle. They're elegant, slightly more unusual than a standard circle, and work particularly well for premium product labels — wine bottles, artisan food products, cosmetics, and candles.
• Best for: Premium product labels, wine and beverage bottles, artisan food, cosmetics
• Why oval: The shape reads as more premium than a plain rectangle. It draws the eye.
👉 Order custom oval stickers at Lulu Labels.
4. Clear Stickers
Clear stickers (also called transparent stickers) are printed on clear vinyl — so the background of the sticker is invisible, and only your design is visible. The effect is that the design appears to float directly on the surface.
This is one of the most popular choices for bottles and packaging because it creates a 'no-label' look that reads as high-end. Think of expensive perfume bottles or premium craft drinks — that's the clear sticker effect.
• Best for: Glass bottles, packaging, cosmetics, candles, product branding where you want the surface to show through
• Important: Your design needs to work without a white or coloured background — any 'white' in the design needs to be specified as an opaque white print layer
• Finish: Clear gloss is most common; creates a wet, high-end look
Designer tip: Clear stickers look best when the design has strong outlines and bold colours. Pale or pastel designs can be hard to read on a clear background, especially on dark surfaces.
👉 Order custom clear stickers at Lulu Labels.
5. Holographic Stickers
Holographic stickers are printed on a foil-effect material that produces a rainbow, prismatic shimmer effect in light. They're eye-catching, distinctive, and impossible to replicate with standard printing — which also makes them useful as a seal of authenticity.
They're popular in the craft and maker community, with beauty brands, and for any product that wants to stand out on a shelf or at a market.
• Best for: Craft market products, beauty brands, stationery, laptop stickers, card making, product seals
• Effect: Prismatic rainbow shimmer that changes in different lighting
• Note: The holographic effect works best on designs with areas of white or light colour — dark designs reduce the shimmer effect. Black and white images look really great!
Trend alert: Holographic stickers are one of the fastest-growing sticker trends globally. If you sell products at craft markets or pop-up shops, these are a guaranteed conversation starter.
👉 Order custom holographic stickers at Lulu Labels.
6. Kiss-Cut Stickers
Kiss-cut stickers are cut to any custom shape — following the exact outline of your design — but they're left on a square or rectangular backing sheet. This means the sticker peels easily and cleanly, while still being die-cut to your shape.
Kiss-cut stickers are ideal when your design has an unusual shape — a logo, a character, a product outline — and you want it to look perfect without a rectangular border around it.
• Best for: Brand logo stickers, character stickers, custom shape product labels, sticker packs, merchandise, freebies in packaging
• The difference from die-cut: Kiss-cut stickers keep the backing sheet intact; die-cut stickers are completely cut out, shape and all
• Backing sheet: Can be used as additional branding real estate — add your website, social handle, or a QR code to the backing
👉 Order custom kiss-cut stickers at Lulu Labels.
7. UV DTF Stickers
UV DTF (Direct to Film) is a newer printing technology that produces a textured, raised, glossy finish that standard vinyl stickers simply can't replicate. The design is printed with UV-curable inks onto a transfer film, giving it a thick, almost resin-like appearance.
UV DTF stickers are particularly popular for branding on hard surfaces like tumblers, mugs, phone cases, and glasses — surfaces where standard vinyl stickers would struggle to adhere or look flat.
• Best for: Tumblers, mugs, glasses, phone cases, hard promotional items, corporate gifting
• Finish: High-gloss, raised, textured — looks like a sticker that's been poured on
• Durability: Extremely durable on hard, flat surfaces
• Not ideal for: Flat paper or cardboard surfaces — UV DTF is designed for hard, smooth surfaces
Corporate gifting use: UV DTF stickers on branded tumblers or glasses make a very premium-looking corporate gift. The raised, glossy logo effect looks significantly more expensive than it is.
👉 Order UV DTF stickers at Lulu Labels.
Quick Reference: Which Sticker Should I Choose?
Still not sure? Here's the quick version:
• Sealing jars, bottles, or packaging → Circle or Oval stickers
• Product info with lots of text → Rectangle stickers
• You want the surface to show through → Clear stickers
• You want to stand out and shimmer → Holographic stickers
• Your logo has a custom shape → Kiss-cut stickers
• Branding tumblers, mugs, or glassware → UV DTF stickers
• Not sure — go with a safe, versatile option → Circle stickers
What File Format Do I Need to Order?
For the best print quality, Lulu Labels recommends submitting your design as a high-resolution PDF, PNG, or vector file (AI or SVG). Minimum resolution for raster files (PNG, JPG) is 300 DPI at the final printed size.
If you don't have a design ready, that's fine too — contact us via WhatsApp on +27 61 549 3922 or live chat and we can help guide you through the process or connect you with a designer.
How Are Lulu Labels Stickers Different From Overseas Suppliers?
There are three key reasons to choose a local South African supplier for your custom stickers:
1. No import delays or customs fees. Ordering from overseas means waiting 2–4 weeks and potentially paying import duties. Lulu Labels ships within South Africa, with orders typically ready in 3–5 working days.
2. Pay in rands. No exchange rate surprises. No PayPal. No foreign transaction fees on your bank statement.
3. Real human support. WhatsApp us and a real person responds — not a chatbot. We'll help you get the file format right, choose the correct sticker type, and flag any print issues before we go to production.
Ready to Order Your Custom Stickers?
Browse the full range of custom sticker options at Lulu Labels — from R5.50 per sticker, with no large minimum order requirements.